Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

The last day of this month (October 2017) marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Thesis to the door of the Catholic church in Wittenburg, Germany.  This led to the Great Protestant Reformation, which changed the face of Christendom forever.  We’ll be sharing articles of information about Martin Luther and the Great Reformation during the next few weeks.  Let this 500th anniversary be a reminder to all Christians to pause daily and give thanks for the salvation we have in Christ.  Proclaimed by Paul, and affirmed by Martin Luther, and many others throughout the ages, we are saved “by grace…through faith, and… it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8-9).

Martin Luther on Trial

Recently, my husband an I attended the theater performance of “Martin Luther on Trial.”  Produced by the Fellowship for Performing Arts, the stage show brought to life a hypothetical situation taking place in the afterlife.  Set in a courtroom trial, the Great Accuser (Satan) is the evil prosecuting attorney and the Great Reformer, Martin Luther, is the defendant.  With Luther’s wife, former nun Katie VanBora, as the impassioned defense attorney, the proceedings are overseen by Saint Peter as the judge.  Many interesting witnesses are called to testify. Among them Hitler, Sigmund Freud, Rabbi Josel, Saint Paul, Martin Luther King Jr, and Pope Francis. It’s a fascinating story with an interesting plot and biblical truths woven througout.

The show moves on to Houston (October 19-29), Dallas (November 3-4), Minneapolis (November 11-12), and Tulsa (November 16-19).

If you live anywhere near one of those cities, I highly encourage you to attend the performance. For more information, visit https://fpatheatre.com/production/martin-luther-on-trial/. The show was inspiring, thought-provoking, and certain to provide stimulating conversations.

If you are unable to attend a performance, I hope you enjoy these clips from “Martin Luther on Trial.”

Martin Luther on Trial – Trailer

Martin Luther at Confession

Martin Luther, Katie von Bora & Rabbi Josel

A word from Max McLean, artistic director, Fellowship for Performing Arts:  “With the 500th anniversary of this moment approaching in 2017, we wanted to explore this Shakespearean-size personality on stage. Fellowship for Performing Arts’ mission is to present theatre from a Christian worldview that engages a diverse audience. To be true to our mission, we are committed to the notion that the world is not the way it ought to be, and that ‘we’ (individually) are part of the problem…

“Many depictions of Luther’s story deal with a troubled soul and conclude with the heroic ‘Here I Stand’ speech in 1521. Most choose not to look at the aggressive behavior of his later years. We care to look at both. We have, also, set the play in the ‘Afterlife’ to add a supernatural dimension to our story in the hope of sparking the imagination and inspiring dialogue toward renewal and reconciliation.”

Watch the Fellowship for Performing Art’s Max McLean in “The Gospel of Mark”

Read about and watch clips of Max McLean as C. S. Lewis: Lost in the Midst of an Unsettled Sea

Martin Luther’s “Here I Stand” Speech that launched the Protestant Reformation

Narrated by Max McLean

About Max McLean

Founder and artistic director of Fellowship for Performing Arts (FPA), Max McLean is a NY City-based producer of live theater from a Christian worldview. Max conceived, adapted, produced and starred in The Screwtape Letters, a play based on the book by Oxford scholar, author and fantasy writer C.S. Lewis. His stage adaptation of Lewis’ The Great Divorce launched its national tour in late 2013, and Max brings C.S. Lewis to life through his portrayal of him in The Most Reluctant Convert.  Max's most recent production, Martin Luther on Trial, debuted in 2016.  As the narrator of The Listener's Bible in three translations (NIV, ESV, and KJV) Max has received four Audie Award nominations from the Audio Publisher’s Association. For more information about Max McLean and FPA, visit Fellowship for Performing Arts. For locations of theatrical performances near you, click here.

The Vision of FPA

When asked in an interview, "How do you seek to bring glory to God through performance art?"  Max McLean explained: "At the root of Christianity is the admission that this world is not what it ought to be, and at the heart of being a Christian is the confession that I am part of the problem. Our vision is to select literature from the Bible and the treasury of Christian history that helps us to see our predicament, and move us toward a more humble understanding of ourselves and a closer relationship with God. For the theater, our vision is to select stories that explore how and why consequential choices are made, and to produce those stories in a manner that engages diverse audiences." ¹

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Be Ready Always...

to give a reason for the Hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).  When you can’t share the gospel with your words, share it by leaving tracts that tell people about God's grace.

When leaving a tract, always be diligent to pray for the short gospel message. Pray that it be found by someone who is in need of Jesus’ saving grace, and pray that the person will have a tender heart and open ears to receive the gift Jesus desires to give them.  

By the power of the Holy Spirit, even a small tract can help in turning a broken, sinful person from darkness to light.

What If Tracts

CLICK IMAGE TO READ the answer to the question Jesus asks.

Jesus Loves You Tracts

CLICK IMAGE TO READ about how we can know Jesus loves us.

What is Sweeter? Tract

CLICK IMAGE TO READ a perfect message for trick-or-treaters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Ready For Christmas -- Share the Legend of the Candy Cane

Watch now and get some tracts to share the sweet message of the gospel this Christmas.  And when you shop, check out our book, Who Said That? Common Everyday Sayings [from the Bible]  

It's a perfect stocking stuffer, small gift, hostess gift, or just a fun personal purchase.  Learn some of the sayings and use them to open conversations of spiritual importance.

Shop Now!

 

 

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Jesus is the Reason this Ministry Exists

At  Reasons for Hope* Jesus, we are committed to equipping, encouraging, and empowering Christians to know Jesus better, love Him more, and share their faith. We also reach the lost through our Salvation Page. 

With your support, we can continue to provide valuable resources and engaging content.  Please join us in our mission by donating today. Your generous contribution helps us expand our outreach of sharing biblical truths and hope in Jesus.  Thank you for your kindness and for being an integral part of our mission.

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***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

A Room with a View of Eternity—The Last Will & Testament of Jesus Christ   Take a seat at the Master's table. Learn about the riches He gives to all who are His. This book will bless and encourage you, give you hope, and help you live in the joy of your salvation and the riches of Christ that are yours.

The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2023 

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  4. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?
  7. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  8. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  9. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  10. Did Jesus Fight Satan to Take Back the KEYS of Death and Hell?

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  3. Prayers from Billy Graham
  4. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  5. “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  6. Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)
  7. Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. Give Me Perpetual Broken-heartedness (from The Valley of Vision)
  10. Abide with Me, by James Smith, 1859

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

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TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  6. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  7. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  8. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  9. THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share 
  10. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)

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